How to Prevent Clothes from Tearing in the Washing Machine

Many people experience frustration when their clothes wear out quickly or even tear after being washed in a machine. Regardless of the type of washing machine used, the mechanical action is much harsher than handwashing, making fabric deterioration inevitable over time.

However, certain habits—such as overloading the machine or improper sorting—can significantly increase the chances of damage. Here’s how to prevent it.

The Hidden Danger of Overloading

Stuffing too many clothes into the washing machine exceeds its capacity, forcing the garments to compress tightly together. As the drum spins, the pulling force stretches the fabric, making it more susceptible to rips and tears.

Similarly, when clothes are tossed in haphazardly instead of being arranged properly, they can tangle and rub against each other, leading to faster wear and tear.

A Simple Trick: Add Two Plastic Bottles to the Machine

An easy and effective way to prevent clothes from tearing is by placing two empty plastic water bottles inside the drum. Here’s why this works:

✔️ The bottles rotate alongside the clothes, reducing friction between fabrics and preventing tangling.
✔️ As they move, the bottles gently tap against the clothes, mimicking a scrubbing action that helps clean them more effectively.

📌 Important: Ensure the bottle caps are tightly sealed before placing them in the washing machine to achieve the best results.

Additional Washing Machine Tips for Longer-Lasting Clothes

1. Sort Clothes Before Washing

Before loading your laundry, take a moment to separate garments by fabric type and color. This helps prevent:
✔️ Light-colored clothes from being stained by darker garments.
✔️ Delicate fabrics from being damaged by rougher materials.
✔️ Sharp objects (such as forgotten keys or coins) from causing fabric tears.

2. Pre-Soak Clothes for Stubborn Stains

Certain materials, such as cotton and thick shirts, don’t clean easily when mixed with other garments. To boost stain removal, try this method:
✔️ Place clothes in the washing machine and fill it with water.
✔️ Add detergent and let them soak for 20-30 minutes before starting the wash cycle.
This softens tough stains, making them easier to remove.

3. Use Rice Vinegar for Stain Removal & Odor Control

Rice vinegar is a natural and powerful cleaning agent that enhances the washing process. Here’s how to use it:
✔️ Add 200ml of rice vinegar along with detergent to the drum.
✔️ Start the wash cycle for a few minutes, then pause and soak for 20 minutes.
✔️ Resume the cycle as usual.

This technique effectively removes tough stains like oil and fruit juice while eliminating persistent odors trapped in fabrics.

Final Thoughts

By following these tips, you can extend the lifespan of your clothes, prevent damage, and even improve washing efficiency. Small adjustments in your laundry routine can make a big difference!

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